July 22, 2013

Ms. Brooke Chapman,

Associate Director

Small Community Air Service Development Program

U.S. Department ofTransportatlon

8!11 Floor, Room W86~307

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,

Washington D.C. 20590

Reference: Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

Dear Ms. Chapman,

Gunnison County has submitted to the Department ofTransportatlon an application for a 2013 Small

Community AIr Service Development (SCASD)Grant, on behalf of the County, the City of Gunnison and

the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

1he application is for funding to support new, summer season, air service from l'iunOlson marxets In

Texas. Tourists from Texas and poInts east are a huge part of our visitor base and the money they spend

locally is very important to our economy.

Our local airport has seen a signlflcant loss of air servtee in the past few years, in the range of one t~ird

of our airline seats and flights have been cut. At the same time air fares are up significantly and I

understand that airport traffic Is down by a quarter Just since ~009.

The SCASDprogram Is a DOT program that is supposed to help rural cities with Just this type of air

service challenge. We need that type of grant support in Gunnison County. I urge the DOTto give

approval for the Gunnison air service grant application. I bellfN~ that with grant funding we can restore

some of our lost aIr service and the economic benefits locally will be significant.

My daughter and her family live in Crested Butte and it Is hard to get therell would especially love it if

American Airlines would offer service in the summertime. It Is a wonderful time to visit Colorado If you

live In Tennessee as I do, so this would be terriflcll This time I am flying to Denver and driving over In an

expensive rental car, which is not optimum II

Thanks for considering this grant.

SIncerely,

Susan G arown

1815 laurel Ridge Dr.

Na$lwill~, TN 37215
July 22,2013

Ms. Brooke Chapman, .

Assoctate Ojr~ctor

Small Community Air Service Development Program

U.S. Dt.>I"JI'lrncnt of transportatlon

8

1h Floor, Room W86·30'1

J 1.00 NeVI Jersey Avenue S(,

washington D.C. ~O$90

Rcf~ren(t: Docket OOr·QST-2013·0120

Dear Ms. Chapman,

GlJnni~on County has submitted to the Department or TranSI)Ortation an ~pplicaUon for 0) 2013 Sm;'lll

Community Air Service Development (SCASD)Grant, on behalf of the County. tho City of Gunnison and

the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte,

The application 1$(or (undins to support MVI, summer Season, air service from Gunntson markets in

Texas. Tourists (tom texos and point$ <:{J~larc a huge part of our visitor base and the mOMY they spend

lor;~lIy is w~ry Important to our eeoncmv.

Gunnison ulrport has s<:cn a signifkar'llioss of air servko in the past few years, ir't the range of one third

of our airline Sf:i!I.~and flights have been cut. At the same time air tMCS are up sisnificantly and I

understand that airport trafflc is down by a quarter just since 2009.

Wl~own property in Almont at 590 Red Mountain Road in Gunnison county. It is extremelv difficult and

expensive for us to get there ~Ivetl the current number of flights available.

rhe>.SCASO p(og,a m i$ a DOT program that is supposed to help rural cities with jusllhls type of ilir

service challenge. We need that typ<, of grant support in Gunnison Counly, I urge thi:' DOT to give

approval tor the Gunnison air service grant application, I b~li(,vG that with grant funding we C'-HI restore

some of our lo~l air service and the economlc benefits locallV will be signifiC'~r'lt.

Sincerely,

/(.) '<. , /(., r7i

.,(\..!-/ a~1L/ t-: _._/c·,{.··~.J/1L->

'J) i(.J.n n V\)c t ;)(J)")

3905 Island Knoll Dtive

Austin, TX 187/16
July 24, 2013

Ms. Brooke Chapman.

Assocate Director

Small Community Air ServIce Development Program

U.S. Department of Transportanon

6th Floor, Room W86·307

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,

WashIngton D.C. 20590

Reference: Docket 00T·03T·2013·0120

Dear Ms. Chapman,

I am writing to express my support for a grant applicallon from Gunnison County. Ihave been a

full time resIdent of the County since 2002. I am concerned that as an amenlty-driven economy

the level 01our air service Is a critical elemenlin sustaining our tourist business.

Gunnison County has submitted to tho Department of Transportation an application for a 2013

Small Community Air Service Development (SCASO) Grant, on beha" 01the County, Ihe City 01

Gunnison and the towns Of crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

The app1icaUon Is for funding 10 support now, summer season, air service from Gunnison

markets In Texas. Tourists from Texas and poInts east are a huge part 01 our visitor base and tho

money they spend locally Is vcry Important to our economy.

Our local airport has seen a slgnllicanlloss of air service In the past low years, In the rango 01

one third 01 our airline seats and flights have been cut. At the same lime air lares are up

slgnillcantly and I understand that airport tralfic Is down by a quarter Just since 2009.

The SeASO program Is a DOT program that Is suPPOSCd 10 help rural citles with just tnts type 01

air servIce challenge. We need thallypa of grant support In Gunnison County. I urge tho DOT 10

Olvo approval for Iho Gunnison air service orant application. I believe that with grant funding we

can restore some 01 our lost air service and tho eoonomlc benefits locally will be SIgnificant.

/Wi.-~/,

rtkth (/c'/~ Wiltlam G. Aonal

P.O. Box 3250

Crestod Butte, CO 61224
COMMUNITY

FOUNDATION

{!r tlIe'GUNNlSON VALLEY

rrc\'

here for good

July 29, 2013

Ms. Brooke Chapman,

Associate Director

Small Community Air Service Development Program

U.S. Department of Transportation

8

th Floor, Room W86-307

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,

Washington D.C. 20590

Reference: Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

Dear Ms. Chapman:

Gunnison County has submitted an application for a 2013 Small Community Air Service Development

(SCASD) Grant to the Department of Transportation on behalf of the County, the City of Gunnison and

the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

The application Is for funding to support new, summer season air service from Gunnison markets in

Texas. Tourists from Texas and points east are a huge part of our visitor base and the money they spend

locally Is critical to our economy.

Our local airport has seen a significant loss of air service in the past few years; in the range of one third

of our airline seats and flights have been cut. At the same time, air fares have risen significantly and f

understand that airport traffic is down by a quarter just since 2009.

The SCASD program is a DOT program that is intended to help rural cities with Just this type of air service

challenge. Gunnison County Is a great spot for this kind of funding - with a history of collaboration

throughout out valley. I urge the DOT to give approval for the Gunnison air service grant appflcation. I

believe that with grant funding we can restore some of our lost air service and the economic benefits

locally will be significant. f also believe that Gunnison County, with its history of collaboration among

governmental entities, private business and the nonprofit sector will make the grant dollars work far

beyond the initial infusion of the Initial grant dollars.

Sincerely, II . ,.1---,.

~~~

pam~ntgomery ~

Executive Director

Post Office Box 7057 . Gunnison, CO 81230 . wwwctgv.org

GUNNISON: 970/641·8837 CRESTW BUITE: 970/349·5966 FAX: 970/641-0443
CENTER FQ'RTH EARTS

(RESTE[) BUTTE

July 22, 2013

Ms. Brooke Chapman,

Associate Director

Small Community Air Service Development Program

U.S. Department of Transportation

8

th Floor, Room W86-30?

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,

Washington D.C. 20590

Reference: Docket DOT -OST -2013-0120

Dear Ms. Chapman,

Gunnison County has submitted to the Department of Transportation an application for a 2013

Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) Grant, on behalf of the County, the City of

Gunnison and the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

The application is for funding to support new, summer season, air service from Gunnison

markets in Texas. Tourists from Texas and points east are a huge part of our visitor base and

the money they spend locally is very important to our economy.

Our local airport has seen a significant loss of air service in the past few years, in the range of

one third of our airline seats and flights have been cut. At the same time air fares are up

significantly and Iunderstand that airport traffic is down by a quarter Just since 2009.

The SCASO program is a DOT program that is supposed to help rural cities with just this type of

air service challenge. We need that type of grant support in Gunnison County. I urge the DOT to

give approval for the Gunnison air service grant application. I believe that with grant funding we

can restore some of our lost air service and the economic benefits locally will be significant.

Sincerely,

Jenny Birnie

Executive Director, Center for the Arts

Chair, Arts Alliance of the East River Valley
Dear Scott)

We are writing in response to the article in last week's CB news. We are second

home owners) basically spending summers and winters in CB and falls and springs

in Nashville. We fly a good bit and really do prefer to use the airport in

Gunnison whenever we can. This summer I have had to make extra trips because my

mother is ill. The rates have often been exorbitant and the schedules poor.

Friends and family have not visited because of these conditions.

We have many friends here in the same boat. I am copying many of them in hopes of

showing the support you requested to enhance the chances of being awarded the

federal grant to negotiate with the airlines. Please let us know how we can

follow up with the right person to make a differencel

Many thanks.

Sincerely yours~

Emily and John Bruno
WESTERN STATE

COLORADO UNIVERSITY

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

July 24,2013

Ms. Brooke Chapman,

Associate Director

Small Community Ail' Service Development Program

U.S. Department of Transportation

8

th Floor, Room W86-307

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,

Washington D.C. 20590

Reference: Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

Dear Ms. Chapman,

As the President of Western State Colorado University, I am writing this letter to express the

University's support for the 2013 Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) Grant,

submitted by Gunnison County on behalf of the County, the City of Gunnison and the towns of

. Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

The application is for funding to support new, slimmer season, air service from Gunnison markets in

Texas. Tourists from Texas and points east are a huge part of our visitor base and the money they

spend locally is very important to our economy.

Our local airport has seen a significant loss of air service in the past few years, in the range of one

third of our airline seats, and flights have been cut. At the same time air fares are lip significantly and

I understand that airport traffic is down by a quarter just since 2009.

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport benefits Western's student recruitment and retention

efforts, and serves the travel needs of Olll'faculty, staff and campus visitors. Approximately 93

percent of Western's students are from more than 100 miles away and 25 percent are from outside of

Colorado, which makes availability of an airport an important commodity when recruiting and

retaining students. It is also been consistently communicated that the airport provides peace-of-mind

to parents and students who maybe apprehensive about Western's rural location.

The SCASD program is a DOT program whose objective is to help rural cities with just this type of

ail' service challenge. We need that type of grant support in Gunnison County. Iurge the DOT to

give approval for the Gunnison air service grant application. Just as the air service program is vital

for our tourism-based economy, it is also a great benefit to the Western community, which in turn,

supports the local economy. I believe that witb grant funding we can restore some of OUl' lost air

service and the economic benefits locally will be significant.

Sincerely,

Brad Baca

President

Western State Colorado University - 600 North Adams Street

Gunnison, CO 81231 - 970.943.2114 - www.western.edu

Learning, Elevated.
JUly 24, 2013

MS. 8roo1<e Chapman,

AssociatE! Director

small Community Air Service Oevelopment program

US. Department of Transportation

SiloFloor, Room WS6-307

1200 New Jersey Aven~e SE,

Washington D.C.20590

Dear Ms. Chapman,

GUl')olson County has submitted tc the l)epartl"llent of Transportation an application for a 2013 Small

Community Afr Service Development (SCASO)Grant. on behalf of ~he County, the City of Gunnison and

the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

The application is for' funding to sopport new, summer season, air service from Gunnison markets in

Texas..Tourists from Texas and points east are a huge part ofour visitor base and the money they spend

IQalIIy is very importaC'\t to our eoonomy,

OUT 1oc91airport has seen a significant Ioss-Qfair service in the past few years, il"l the range of one third

of our airliJ)e seats and flights have been rot. At the same time air fares are up significantly and ,

understand that airport tJ9ffic is down by a quarter just since 2009.

The SCASD program is a DOT prog/"iJm th<lt ls supposed to help rural cities with just 'this type of air

service challe~. w~Deed~hat type of grant s.upport In Gunnison County. We ul'8e the DOT to give

approval for the GuMison air service grant <lpplication. We believe that with grant funding we can

restore some of our lost air service and the economic benefits k>cal/y will be significant.

Sincerely,

Barcy & Lynne Muirhead
July 22, 2013

Ms. Brooke Chapman,

Associate Director

Small Community Air Service Development Program

U.S. Department ofTransportation

8

th Floor, Room W86-307

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,

Washington D.C. 20590

Reference: Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

Dear Ms. Chapman,

Gunnison county has submitted to the Department ofiransportation an application for a 2013 Small

Community Air Service Development (SCASD)Grant, on behalf of the County, the City of Gunnison and

the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

The application Is for funding to support new, summer season, air service from Gunnison markets in

Texas. Tourists from Texas and poInts east are a huge part of our visitor base and the money they spend

locally is very important to our economy.

Our local airport has seen a significant loss of air service in the past few years, in the range of one third

of our airline seats and flights have been cut. At the same time air fares are up significantly and'

understand that airport traffic is down by a quarter just since 2009.

The SCASDprogram is a DOT program that is supposed to help rural cities with just this type of air

service challenge. We need that type of grant support in Gunnison County. Iurge the DOT to give

approval for the Gunnison air service grant application. Ibelieve that with grant funding we can restore

some of our lost air service and the economic benefits locally will be significant.

Sincerely,

("/---\~.~

John and Carole Ferguson

14 Hunter Hill Road

Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225
Phillip H. Virden

P.O. Box 818

Lake City, CO 81235

970-944-2548

July 22, 2013

Ms. Brooke Chapman

Associate Director

Small Community Air Service Development Program

U.S. Department of Transportation

8th Floor, Room W86-307

1200 NewJersey Avenue SE

Washington, D.C. 20590

Reference: Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

Dear Ms. Chapman,

Ihave ,been a small business owner and resident near Gunnison County since 1975. Ihave

, been keenly aware.and involved with the fragile nature of our economy. Without question,

gettingvisitots to 'our beautiful county by all means possible is critical for us to maintain a

healthy and vibrant economy.

Gunnison County has submitted to the Department ofTransportation an application for a

2013 Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD)Grant, on behalf of the County. the

City of Gunnison and the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

The application is for funding to support new, summer season, air service from

Gunnison markets in Texas. Tourists from Texas and points east are a huge part of our visitor

base and the money they spend locally is very important to our economy.

Our local airport has seen a sIgnificant loss of air service in the past few years, in the range of

one third of our airline seats and flights have been cut. At the same time air fares are up .

significantly and Iunderstand that airport traffic is down by a quarter just since 2009~

The SCASO program is a DOT program that is supposed to help rural cIties with just this type

of air service challenge. We need that type of grant support in Gunnison County. Iurge the

DOT to give approval for the Gunnison air service grant application. r believe that with grant

funding we can restore some of OUT lost air service and the economic benefits locally will be

sigrtUficant. '

Respectfully submitted; .'

G~H.~LPhillip H.Virden'
July 22, 2013

M;), Brooke Chapman,

Associate Director

Small Community Air Service Development Program

U.S.Department of Transportation

8

th Floor, Room W86-307

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,

Washington D.C.20590

Reference: Docket DOT-OST-2013-0120

Dear Ms. Chapman,

Gunnison County has submitted to the Department ofTransportation an application for a 2013 Small

Community Air Service Development (SCASD)Grant, on behalf of the County, the City of Gunnison and

the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

The application is for funding to support new, summer season, air service from Gunnison markets In

Texas.Tourists from Texas and points east are a huge part of our visitor base and the money they spend

locally is very important to our economy.

Our local airport has seen a significant loss of air service in the past few years, in the range of one third

of our airline seats and flights have been cut. At the same time air fares are up significantly and I

understand that airport traffic Is down by a quarter just since 2009.

The SCASDprogram Is a DOT program that is supposed to help rural cities with just this type of air

service chaiienge. We need that type of grant support in Gunnison County. I urge the DOTto give

approval for the Gunnison air service grant application. I believe that with grant funding we can restore

some of our lost air service and the economic benefits locally will be significant.

&6 (/j~~ / f/J

(JMd- ~~U I CD